Baffle removal
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Stage I
Joined: Jun 2026
Posts: 1
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From: ID
Baffle removal
I have a Street Bob 2025 I removed the baffles is it good to take out the cat also and put the thunderstorm inserts in anyone have an opinion about this I already took the baffles out and I noticed a little bit of difference and running a little hotter
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,598
Likes: 30,998
From: Pennsylvania
It is running hotter because it is running leaner with the baffles removed.
Do the right thing and get a good set of slip-on mufflers and a tune if you want a louder bike. Removing the Cat will not make much difference unless you put a free flow air filter on and a tune.
Some things should be left alone unless you really know what your are doing. Your engine will suffer and you will have a decrease in power.
Make sure you wear ear protection otherwise your hearing will suffer in your right ear.
NOTE:
The above information, while credible, is worth what you paid for it and should not be considered gospel.
Do due diligence, research and have a H-D Field Service Manual before working on your bike.
You will probably have many opinions and suggestions presented; make sure you research the person providing the helpful information as there are some who provide good information that is useful and some who speak out of other orifices with gibberish. You will figure out this quickly.
Last edited by CoolBreeze3646; Jun 18, 2026 at 09:17 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 536
Likes: 119
From: Utopia
You might get more/better answers at the 2018+ Softail M8 forum
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/2018-softail-models-206/
(a sub-forum of this 2000-2017 Softail TwinCam forum)
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/2018-softail-models-206/
(a sub-forum of this 2000-2017 Softail TwinCam forum)
Last edited by bustergut; Jun 19, 2026 at 12:37 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,771
Likes: 6,505
From: Honah Lee
If you must do that, do it right with a factory designed system and a tuner.
@Strangewayz
Welcome to the HDFORUM. Hold up on starting another thread on same topic. Community team will move it for you.
@2goldens or @foxtrapper Would you slide this over to the 2018 Section if you think it's better there.
@Strangewayz
Welcome to the HDFORUM. Hold up on starting another thread on same topic. Community team will move it for you.
@2goldens or @foxtrapper Would you slide this over to the 2018 Section if you think it's better there.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Jun 19, 2026 at 06:03 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 1,172
Likes: 511
From: Colorado
Removing the baffles is not recommended... And no, you don't need a tune for it. I did it, didn't care for sound really, and it was a hit to performance.
First... Removing cat will do nothing. Cats just are not restrictive. They flow really well.
Second, I assume you mean thunder torque inserts... Lollipops. DK customs... Dumb name. But yes, those are absolutely beneficial. You just gave yourself reversion removing the baffles, and lolipops will correct that.
Once you do that, you will get a performance boost. The baffles are indeed super restrictive. The M8s are really strangled from factory. Air cleaner and slipons, or removing baffles... Gets them breathing better.
You don't need a tune for baffles... Or slip ons which is what you did. You need a tune just because it's better overall, but the computer has plenty of room to correct for a bit more air. When I removed mine, it was always temporary cause I knew I would be putting pipes on. But for you, if this is permanent... Well ya, you really should just get a slip on because the sound will be tuned better... And you shouldn't have reversion... But I suppose that is still possible, and lollipops will still help that.
First... Removing cat will do nothing. Cats just are not restrictive. They flow really well.
Second, I assume you mean thunder torque inserts... Lollipops. DK customs... Dumb name. But yes, those are absolutely beneficial. You just gave yourself reversion removing the baffles, and lolipops will correct that.
Once you do that, you will get a performance boost. The baffles are indeed super restrictive. The M8s are really strangled from factory. Air cleaner and slipons, or removing baffles... Gets them breathing better.
You don't need a tune for baffles... Or slip ons which is what you did. You need a tune just because it's better overall, but the computer has plenty of room to correct for a bit more air. When I removed mine, it was always temporary cause I knew I would be putting pipes on. But for you, if this is permanent... Well ya, you really should just get a slip on because the sound will be tuned better... And you shouldn't have reversion... But I suppose that is still possible, and lollipops will still help that.
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